The Dichotomy of Wealth: Geoffrey's Struggle in South Africa

In the opening of the book, Geoffrey is introduced as a white super rich person who lives in South Africa. Flan insists for Geoffrey “to move out of South Africa” because he will “be killed” (10). Geoffrey responds with an obvious tone “one has to stay there to educate the black workers and we’ll know we’ve been successful when they kill us” (10). John sets it up to show Geoffrey as a savior for the poorest of the poor. Even though he is risking his life for black people, the reader should not feel sympathy for him because he really cannot do anything. As Ouisa describes Geoffrey as “King Midas rich. Literally,” which makes him look like a man with power but she also mentions “but he is always short of cash because his government won’t let” its “white people take out any

This is one of the reasons what makes me think that racism is why Paul goes to people and change who he is. He might not feel accepted in society because of him being black and not rich. That can explain why he goes to rich white people. This goes back to catcher in the rye because Paul is like Holden because they both are lost for who they really are and what is their purpose. Holden also wants to seek advice and the people he picks is people who are not phonies while Paul picks people who have been successful in life in order to guide him. Mr. Antolini is like Ouisa because she wants to help Paul. Going back to racism, Paul adds that he never feels “people like” him for his “connections” (29). However, I feel that he tells people that he is a movie star or someone that is successful in society in order to feel accepted. Paul even mentions that he found out that he is “black in the racist way till” he was “sixteen and came back here” (30). Paul sort of uses his race in order for Geoffrey, Flan, and Ouisa to feel sympathy for